Central Michigan Baseball General Council

OUR MISSION

The Central Michigan Baseball General Council is a committed brotherhood of alumni, donors, and advocates united by one goal: to elevate CMU Baseball to sustained national prominence. The General Council drives resources, visibility, and strategic momentum to ensure Central Michigan Baseball competes and wins at the highest level, on and off the field.

OUR GROUP

Jake Sabol

Former Chippewa pitcher Jake Sabol is in his third year as head coach of the Central Michigan University baseball program. A four-year letterwinner from 2007–11, Sabol helped lead CMU to two Mid-American Conference West Division titles and the 2010 MAC regular-season championship. As a senior, he went 4–2 in league play with a 3.18 ERA, earned two MAC West Pitcher of the Week honors, and received the prestigious Chippewa Award in 2011.

Before returning to CMU, Sabol built a strong head coaching résumé at Northwood University and Alma College, compiling over 200 career victories and earning conference Coach of the Year honors. He was originally drafted by the Detroit Tigers following his CMU career and later transitioned into scouting and coaching.

Now leading the program that helped shape him, Sabol continues to strengthen CMU Baseball’s competitive culture, academic success, and championship aspirations—embodying what it means to be a Chippewa, both on and off the field.

Devan Kline

Devan Kline
Devan Kline was a Division I baseball student-athlete at Central Michigan University from 2006 to 2009, competing in the Mid-American Conference. As a scholarship member of the Chippewas baseball program, Kline developed the competitive discipline, leadership skills, and work ethic that would later define his professional career.

Following his time at CMU, he advanced to the professional level within the San Francisco Giants organization, continuing his development in professional baseball. His experience at both the collegiate and professional levels reinforced his commitment to high-performance standards and team-centered leadership.

Kline is now the Founder and CEO of Burn Boot Camp; a national fitness franchise focused on community-based training programs. What began as a small startup has grown into a large organization with locations across the United States and thousands of employees working toward the company’s mission of improving health and wellness.

Kline currently serves on the Intercollegiate Athletics Subcommittee at the invitation of Athletic Director Amy Folan and in addition to his leadership involvement, he has contributed philanthropic support to the university.

Dave Keilitz

Dave Keilitz
A 1964 graduate of Central Michigan University, Dave Keilitz’s legacy is woven into the very fabric of CMU Athletics. Earning his B.S. in Education (1964), M.A. in Physical Education (1965), and Ed.S. (1975)—and later receiving an Honorary Doctor of Public Service (2005)—Keilitz has been affiliated with CMU for more than six decades as a student-athlete, coach, athletic director, national leader, and philanthropist.

As a standout first baseman from 1961–64, Keilitz became CMU’s first baseball All-American and set 17 school records. He was named team MVP in 1964 and inducted into multiple halls of fame, including the National College Baseball Hall of Fame (2021). His uniform No. 34 was retired in 2018, and CMU’s home field now bears his name: Keilitz Field at Theunissen Stadium.

Named head coach in 1971, Keilitz guided the Chippewas for 14 seasons, compiling a 453–203–6 record, winning four Mid-American Conference championships, and leading CMU to six NCAA Tournament appearances. A four-time MAC Coach of the Year, he later served as CMU’s athletic director from 1984–94 before becoming Executive Director of the American Baseball Coaches Association from 1994–2014.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Keilitz and his wife, Sue, have established the Dave and Sue Keilitz Family CMU Baseball Endowment and the Fund for Athletic Excellence, supporting long-term growth of the baseball program and its facilities. Keilitz continues to serve on the CMU Advancement Board and has played a vital role in major campaigns benefiting both the university and local healthcare initiatives.

Ryan Heeke

Ryan Heeke
A two-time graduate of Central Michigan University (B.S.B.A. Finance, 2015; B.S. Mathematics, 2016), Ryan Heeke is a former Chippewa baseball standout who has built an impressive career on Wall Street while remaining deeply connected to CMU.

On the field at CMU, Heeke was the embodiment of leadership and academic excellence. A team captain in 2016, he earned the Chippewa Award, Most Improved Player Award, Team Academic Award, and the prestigious Mid-American Conference Medal of Excellence. A Magna Cum Laude graduate and Academic All-MAC honoree, he balanced elite athletic performance with rigorous academic achievement. During his senior season, he hit .291 and posted a .991 fielding percentage while helping lead the Chippewas in conference play.

Beyond competition, Heeke served as a mathematics and finance tutor, mentor, and Special Olympics volunteer. Since 2017, he has hosted and met with CMU students during their annual visit to RBC’s New York offices and has returned to campus multiple times to speak to the Wall Street Journal Club. He was recognized with the CBA Outstanding Young Alumni Award (2019) and the university’s 10 Within 10 Award (2020).

Tyler Huntey
A 2014 graduate of Central Michigan University with a B.S.B.A. in General Management, Tyler Huntey built his foundation as a standout catcher for CMU Baseball. A team captain and Most Valuable Player, he earned Academic All-MAC honors from the Mid-American Conference while leading both on the field and in the classroom.

Huntey delivered several memorable performances for the Chippewas, including a grand slam in a 16–2 victory over Bowling Green and multiple MAC West Player of the Week honors in 2014. Over his career, he was recognized as the team’s Most Improved Player and consistently contributed behind the plate and offensively. Beyond competition, he served as an Athletic Camp Director, organizing and leading youth baseball camps, and volunteered with Special Olympics at CMU.

Baseball runs deep in the Huntey family. His father, Clark Huntey, was inducted into the CMU Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014 after helping lead the program to three MAC Championships—a legacy that inspired Tyler to become both a catcher and a proud Chippewa.

Today, Huntey channels the leadership skills developed at CMU into an entrepreneurial career focused on business growth and community development in rural Michigan. He is the CEO of Early Learning Company, an organization focused on expanding access to high-quality childcare and early education. He is also the Owner of Huntey Ventures, a real estate investment firm specializing in commercial, student housing, and storage properties, and Front St Group, which operates several small businesses in Mecosta County.

In addition to his business leadership, Huntey is actively involved in community development and public service. He serves as President of the Michigan Childcare Provider Collective, representing childcare providers across the state, and as a Trustee for Mecosta Township. He also helped lead the merger between the Mecosta County Economic Development Corporation and the Mecosta County Chamber of Commerce, forming the Big Rapids Regional Chamber to strengthen economic development and better serve the region.

Craig Keilitz
A 1991 graduate of Central Michigan University with a B.A.A. in Interpersonal and Public Communication, Craig Keilitz has built a distinguished career in collegiate athletics leadership while maintaining strong ties to CMU Baseball.

A former Chippewa baseball student-athlete and member of the American Marketing Association at CMU, Keilitz now serves as Executive Director of the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA). He was named to the position on February 17, 2014, continuing a family legacy of national leadership in college baseball.

Prior to leading the ABCA, Keilitz served as Vice President for Athletics and Athletic Director at High Point University from 2008–2014. During his tenure, High Point expanded its athletics offerings, added men’s and women’s lacrosse, and completed significant facility upgrades. He also previously held leadership roles at Wake Forest University and served as NCAA compliance director at the University of Michigan.

At CMU, Keilitz continues to support the baseball program and has been instrumental in the Baseball Turf Project and the program’s facilities and long-term success.

Ryan Krueger
A 2003 graduate of Central Michigan University with a B.S. in Earth Science and Geology, Ryan Krueger was a standout student-athlete and remains a dedicated supporter of CMU. A scholarship baseball player from Alpena, Krueger hit .318 and led the team with 22 stolen bases in 2003, earning co-Most Valuable Player honors as voted by his teammates. He graduated cum laude and later served on the Geology Alumni Advisory Board from 2017 to 2021. His philanthropic focus at CMU includes the baseball program and the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, where he has contributed to multiple scholarship funds supporting undergraduate students and their research.

Krueger went on to earn his M.S. in Geoscience from Texas Tech University in 2005 and began his career with ExxonMobil the same year. For over two decades, he has held numerous technical, commercial, and leadership roles, including leading exploration teams in Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia, serving as a Sr. Advisor within Corporate Strategic Planning, and currently managing a team developing oil & gas resources in the Midland Basin of West Texas.

Beyond professional success, Ryan and his wife, Vicki, also a CMU alum, are generous donors to CMU and the United Way of Greater Houston. The Kruegers’ commitment to supporting CMU continues to reflect the lasting impact of their time in Mount Pleasant. Together, they have two sons, Cameron and Eli, and currently live outside of Houston in Spring, Texas.

Nick Krzyzaniak
A 1986 graduate of Central Michigan University, Nick Krzyzaniak is a former Chippewa baseball captain, global business executive, and dedicated CMU leader. A catcher from 1984–86, Krzyzaniak helped guide CMU to three consecutive Mid-American Conference championships and NCAA Tournament appearances in each of his three letter-winning seasons. A two-time Academic All-MAC selection and senior team captain, he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Double Major in Business Administration and Political Science.

Krzyzaniak backstopped some of the most successful teams in program history under coaches Dave Keilitz and Dean Kreiner. The Chippewas compiled a remarkable .716-win percentage during his three seasons. Following graduation, Krzyzaniak built a 26-year career with Danone (Dannon), rising to executive leadership roles including President, CEO, and General Manager across the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, and Canada. He led major cultural and operational transformations, culminating in record employee engagement performance. After retiring in 2017, he earned a Master’s Degree in Executive Coaching from Columbia University and founded KZ & Associates, an executive coaching and consulting firm based in New York. Krzyzaniak currently operates his own leadership consulting firm, KZ & Associates Executive Coaching and Consulting, where he works with executives and organizations on leadership development and strategy.

Krzyzaniak served as Commencement Speaker in 2016, when he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate, and received the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2022. A member of CMU’s Advancement Board since 2020 and current Vice-Chair of the Business Development Committee, he has been instrumental in supporting CMU Baseball.

Chris Kupillas
A 2009 graduate of Central Michigan University with a B.S.B.A. in Marketing and Logistics Management, Chris Kupillas is a former Chippewa pitcher who has translated the discipline of Division I athletics into executive leadership in the logistics industry.

Kupillas was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 38th round of the 2007 MLB Draft and later played professionally in the Frontier League with the Traverse City Beach Bums and the Washington Wild Things. His experience in professional baseball reinforced the competitive mindset and resilience that would define his business career.

After transitioning from baseball, Kupillas entered the logistics and supply chain field, crediting CMU’s Supply Chain Management program—and mentor Robert Cook—with providing the foundational knowledge that propelled his success.

Zack McKinstry

Zach McKinstry
A former standout at Central Michigan University, Zach McKinstry has built a Major League career defined by versatility and resilience. After playing for the Chippewas during the 2015–16 seasons, McKinstry was drafted in the 33rd round (1,001st overall) of the 2016 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

He began his professional career in the Arizona League before advancing through the Dodgers’ minor league system, including time with the Great Lakes Loons. McKinstry was added to the Dodgers’ major league roster in 2019 and remained with the organization until August 2022, when he was traded to the Chicago Cubs. In 2023, he joined the Detroit Tigers. In 2025, he was selected to the American League All-Star Team and won the American League Silver Slugger Award for the utility position.

At CMU, McKinstry started 117 games at shortstop in his two seasons. In 2016, he was voted co-Most Valuable Player and earned Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American recognition. His ability to contribute at third base, shortstop, and in the outfield has become a hallmark of his professional success.

Dave Pagel
A 1983 graduate of Central Michigan University with a B.S. in Business Administration, Dave Pagel is widely regarded as one of the finest baseball players in CMU history. An All-American shortstop, Pagel earned First Team All-American honors in 1980 and Second Team in 1979, along with First Team All-Mid-American Conference recognition in both seasons.

His impact on CMU Baseball remains etched in the record books. Pagel ranks eighth in career hits (164), tied for fourth in doubles (34), tied for 10th in home runs (18), and second in RBIs (137). His .390 career batting average ranks second all-time, and he is tied for the career lead in game-winning RBIs (21). In 1980, he set a school record with 14 game-winning RBIs—a mark that still stands today.

After his junior year, Pagel took a three-year hiatus to pursue professional baseball before transitioning into a successful business career. He spent many years with Automatic Data Processing (ADP) before becoming Director of Manufacturer Solutions at CDK Global, where he retired in 2021 after 25 years managing the General Motors account.

Inducted into CMU’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993, Pagel remains a proud and dedicated supporter of Central Michigan University.

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